Protein-binding and antioxidant potential of phenolics of mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana).

Phenolics were extracted from mangosteen fruit parts with 70% (v/v) aqueous acetone. The yield of crude extracts of phenolics (CP) ranged from 5.8% to 7.9%. The total phenolics (TPH) content ranged from 9.3mg to over 250mg of gallic acid equivalents per g of extract in the edible aril and skin, respectively. The formation of phenolic-protein complexes was assayed by both the dye-labelled bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the fluorescence quenching methods. Phenolics from peel and rind displayed a strong protein-precipitating potential. On the other hand, phenolics from edible aril exhibited greater affinity for BSA, as determined by the fluorescence quenching assay. The static quenching was the dominant mode of quenching of BSA fluorescence by mangosteen fruit phenolics. Mangosteen phenolics occupied two binding sites on BSA molecules located most likely in or near both tryptophan residues in the BSA molecule acting as an intrinsic fluorescence probe.

Impact of annealing on the hierarchical structure and physicochemical properties of waxy starches of different botanical origins.

The effect of annealing on structure and physicochemical properties of four different waxy starches were investigated to understand the mechanism of annealing in the absence of amylose. Granule morphology, X-ray pattern, molecular order, and gelatinization enthalpy remained unchanged upon annealing. Relative crystallinity of waxy corn starch increased from 42.4 to 46.1% on annealing, while it remained unchanged in other starches. Annealing increased the gelatinization temperatures, while it decreased the temperature range. Waxy potato starch showed the highest increase in To, where it was 8.1 °C after 72 h of annealing. Viscosity profiles were only slightly affected by the annealing treatment. Susceptibility towards amylolysis increased in waxy corn and waxy barley, while it decreased in waxy potato and waxy rice. This study demonstrated that even in the absence of amylose, annealing caused changes in the structure and properties, however, the extents of these changes varied depending on the botanical origin.

Antioxidant activity of minor components of tree nut oils.

The antioxidative components of tree nut oils were extracted using a solvent stripping process. Tree nut oil extracts contained phospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols and tocopherols. The chloroform/methanol extracted oils had higher amounts of phenolic compounds than their hexane extracted counterparts. The antioxidant activity of tree nut oil minor component extracts were assessed using the 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, ß-carotene bleaching test, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and photochemiluminescence inhibition assays. Results of these studies demonstrated that extracts of chloroform/methanol extracted oils possessed higher antioxidant activities than extracts of their hexane extracted counterparts. Meanwhile the extract of chloroform/methanol extracted pecan oil possessed the highest antioxidant activity.

Effects of hazelnut-enriched diet on plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolemic adult men.

OBJECTIVE: Frequent consumption of nuts is associated with favorable plasma lipid profiles and reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was conducted to investigate the effects of hazelnut-enriched diet on plasma cholesterol and lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolemic adult men compared with baseline and control diet, and also to measure the anthropometric parameters, habitual physical activities, nutrient intake and endothelial function. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN: Fifteen hypercholesterolemic men aged 48+/-8 years were recruited voluntarily. A well-controlled, 2-period (P1 and P2) study design with a total of 8-week was implemented. In the P1, subjects consumed a control diet (low-fat, low-cholesterol and high-carbohydrate). During the P2, the control diet was supplemented with MUFA-rich hazelnut (40 g/day), which provided 11.6% of total energy content. Anthropometric parameters and habitual physical activities were recorded. Plasma total and HDL cholesterol, TAG, ApoA-1, Apo B, total homocysteine and glucose concentrations were measured. All parameters and measurements were obtained at baseline and end of each 4-week diet period. RESULTS: Body weights of subjects remained stable throughout the study. Compared with baseline, the hazelnut-enriched diet decreased (P<0.05) the concentrations of VLDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, apolipoprotein B by 29.5, 31.8, and 9.2%, respectively, while increasing HDL cholesterol concentrations by 12.6%. Total/HDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios favorably decreased (P<0.05). Although insignificant there was a decreasing trend for the rest of parameters, particularly in total (5.2%) and LDL cholesterol (3.3%) in subjects consuming a hazelnut-enriched diet compared to that of the baseline. No changes were found in fasting levels of glucose, Apo A-1 and homocysteine between the control and hazelnut-enriched diets. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a high-fat and high-MUFA-rich hazelnut diet was superior to a low-fat control diet because of favorable changes in plasma lipid profiles of hypercholesterolemic adult men and, thereby positively affecting the CHD risk profile. SPONSORSHIP: Funding provided by a grant from the Hazelnut Promotion Group, Giresun, Turkey.

The flow properties of honey-malt spread.

In this study, the effect of barley malt extract at two brix levels (74 and 79 °Bx) and three ratios of malt extract/honey (65:35, 70:30 and 75:25) on the flow behavior properties of honey-malt spread at three temperature levels (35 ℃, 45 ℃ and 55 ℃) was investigated. Time-dependent behavior data of the spread samples were appropriately fitted to the Weltman, first-order stress decay with a zero stress value and first-order stress decay with a non-zero stress value models. Also, the Power-law, Herschel-Bulkley, Casson and Bingham models were used for curve fitting the time-independent behavior data. Regarding the R2 and root mean square error coefficients, the first-order stress decay with a non-zero stress value and Herschel-Bulkley models were selected as the suitable models to describe the flow behavior of samples. The results for time-dependent properties showed that spread samples exhibit a thixotropic behaviour, as the viscosity for all samples decreased with increase in shearing time at a constant shear rate of 50 s-1.

Randomized study assessing the effect of digoxin withdrawal in patients with mild to moderate chronic congestive heart failure: results of the PROVED trial. PROVED Investigative Group.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether digoxin is effective in patients with chronic, stable mild to moderate heart failure. BACKGROUND: Digoxin has been a traditional therapy in heart failure, but methodologic limitations in earlier studies have prevented definitive conclusions regarding its efficacy. METHODS: Withdrawal of digoxin (placebo group, n = 46) or its continuation (digoxin group, n = 42) was performed in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial of patients with chronic, stable mild to moderate heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction who had normal sinus rhythm and were receiving long-term treatment with diuretic drugs and digoxin. RESULTS: Patients withdrawn from digoxin therapy showed worsened maximal exercise capacity (median change in exercise time -96 s) compared with that of patients who continued to receive digoxin (change in exercise time +4.5 s) (p = 0.003). Patients withdrawn from digoxin therapy showed an increased incidence of treatment failures (p = 0.039) (39%, digoxin withdrawal group vs. 19%, digoxin maintenance group) and a decreased time to treatment failure (p = 0.037). In addition, patients who continued to receive digoxin had a lower body weight (p = 0.044) and heart rate (p = 0.003) and a higher left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide strong evidence of the clinical efficacy of digoxin in patients with normal sinus rhythm and mild to moderate chronic heart failure secondary to systolic dysfunction who are treated with diuretics.

Efficacy and safety of extended-release isosorbide mononitrate for stable effort angina pectoris.

The efficacy and safety of extended-release isosorbide mononitrate tablets were evaluated in patients with stable effort angina. In a double-blind study, 313 patients with stable effort-induced angina were randomized to receive placebo or extended-release isosorbide mononitrate: 30, 60, 120 or 240 mg once daily in the morning. Serial exercise testing was performed using the standard Bruce treadmill protocol on days 1, 7, 14, 28 and 42 immediately before morning drug administration, and 4 and 12 hours after administration. After initial dosing, all groups that received extended-release isosorbide mononitrate had significant (p < 0.01) increases in mean total exercise time of approximately 30 to 50 seconds in relation to placebo 4 and 12 hours after administration. On day 42, mean changes from baseline in total exercise time of patients who received 120 or 240 mg of extended-release isosorbide mononitrate exceeded placebo by approximately 50 to 60 seconds 4 hours after dosing (p < 0.01), and by 30 to 35 seconds 12 hours after dosing (p < or = 0.05). No significant difference was detected between responses to extended-release isosorbide mononitrate and placebo 24 hours after administration (i.e., immediately before the next dose). Thus, there was neither significant activity nor demonstrable rebound of effort-induced angina (zero-hour effect) at the end of the dosing interval. Transient headache was the most prevalent adverse experience. Extended-release isosorbide mononitrate (120 and 240 mg administered orally once daily) significantly prolonged exercise time to development of moderate effort-induced angina 4 and 12 hours after dosing during long-term therapy, without development of nitrate tolerance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evening primrose meal: a source of natural antioxidants and scavenger of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-derived free radicals.

Evening primrose meal (EPM: 1% and 2%, w/w) reduced (p

Enzyme-assisted acidolysis of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) oils: incorporation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of borage (Borago officinalis L.) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennisL.) oils with long-chain omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), namely, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids, was carried out in hexane, and the products were analyzed using gas chromatography. The most effective lipase for incorporation of omega3 PUFA into these oils was Pseudomonas sp. as compared to lipases from Mucor miehei and Candida antarctica. Response surface methodology was used to obtain a maximum yield of EPA+DHA incorporation while using the minimum amount of enzyme possible. The process variables studied were the amount of enzyme (150-350 units), reaction temperature (30-60 degrees C), and reaction time (6-30 h). All experiments were carried out according to a face-centered cube design. Under optimum conditions, incorporation of EPA+DHA was 35.5% in borage oil and 33. 6% in evening primrose oil. The modified borage and evening primrose oils containing gamma-linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA were successfully produced and may have potential health benefits.

Antioxidant activity of various fractions of non-tannin phenolics of canola hulls.

Cyclone canola hulls were extracted with 70% (v/v) acetone. The dried crude extract was dissolved in ethanol and fractionated on a Sephadex LH-20 column using 95% (v/v) ethanol as the mobile phase. Five major fractions were isolated according to the UV absorption. All fractions exhibited marked antioxidant activity in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system. Fractions I and II showed the best preventive effect against the bleaching of beta-carotene. The scavenging effect of fractions I, III, and V, at 1 mg, on alpha, alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical was 67.4%, 80.7%, and 63.3%, respectively. Fractions II and IV showed weak DPPH scavenging effects. The reducing power of phenolics present in fractions IV and V was greater than that of fractions I-III, and the observed data correlated well (r(2) = 0.937; P = 0.007) with the total content of phenolics present in each fraction.

Insoluble condensed tannins of canola/rapeseed.

The contents of soluble, SDS-extractable, and insoluble condensed tannins were determined in canola/rapeseed hulls from several varieties by utilizing the proanthocyanidin assay. The total amount of tannins in rapeseed/canola hulls ranged from 1913 to 6213 mg per 100 g of oil-free hulls. Insoluble tannins predominated in canola/rapeseed hulls and comprised from 70 to 95.8% of total tannins present. The amounts of SDS-extractable tannins were comparable to those of soluble tannins but constituted only 4.7-14. 1% of insoluble tannins present.

Nutrient distribution and phenolic antioxidants in air-classified fractions of beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus L.).

Beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus L.) cotyledons and hulls were air-classified into different fractions. The crude protein content (%N x 6.25) of samples ranged from 32.8 to 35.3% in cotyledons and 14.7 to 16.8% in hulls. Crude fiber content was higher in hulls fraction 1 (37.13%) and fraction 2 (36.85%) than in cotyledons (2.83, 2.99, and 3.08% in fractions 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Condensed tannins of cotyledons ranged from 5.76 to 6.90% and of hulls ranged from 52.49 to 57.24%, expressed as catechin equivalents. Minerals, namely P, K, and Zn, were higher in cotyledons, but Ca and Mn were more prevalent in hulls. Nonprotein nitrogen was concentrated in hulls, whereas phytic acid was more abundant in the cotyledons. The UV absorption pattern showed that flavonoids were present in fractions (I-III) from hulls separated on Sephadex LH-20. Fraction III from hulls had the highest content of total phenolics and condensed tannins, but no condensed tannins were detected in fractions I and II from hulls. The antioxidant activity of fractions separated on Sephadex LH-20 from hulls and crude extracts in a beta-carotene-linoleate model system was in the order of fraction III > crude extract > fraction II > fraction I. Spots on silica gel TLC plates, sprayed with a solution of beta-carotene and linoleic acid, indicated that many of the individual compounds were antioxidative in nature. Further, separation of fraction III from hulls on a semipreparative HPLC showed the presence of (+) catechin and (-) epicatechin as the main low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds present.

Angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory peptides purified from bovine skin gelatin hydrolysate.

Bovine skin gelatin was hydrolyzed with sequential protease treatments in the order of Alcalase, Pronase E, and collagenase using a three-step ultrafiltration membrane reactor. The molecular weight distributions of the first, second, and third hydrolysates were 4.8-6.6, 3.4-6.6, and 0.9-1.9 kDa, respectively. The angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of the third hydrolysate (IC(50) = 0.689 mg/mL) was higher than that of the first and second hydrolysates. Two different peptides showing strong ACE inhibitory activity were isolated from the hydrolysate using consecutive chromatographic methods including gel filtration chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The isolated peptides were composed of Gly-Pro-Leu and Gly-Pro-Val and showed IC(50) values of 2.55 and 4.67 microM, respectively.

Comparison of volatiles, phenolics, sugars, antioxidant vitamins, and sensory quality of different colored carrot varieties.

Four different colored carrots, orange, purple with orange core, yellow, and white, were examined for their content of phenolics, antioxidant vitamins, and sugars as well as their volatiles and sensory responses. A total of 35 volatiles were identified in all carrots, 27 positively. White carrot contained the highest content of volatiles, followed by orange, purple, and yellow. In total, 11, 16, 10, and 9 phenolic compounds were determined for the first time in orange, purple, yellow, and white carrots, respectively. Of these, chlorogenic acid was the most predominant phenolic compound in all carrot varieties. Differences (p < 0.05) in relative sweetness, the contents of vitamin C and alpha- and beta-carotenes, and certain flavor characteristics were observed among the colored carrot varieties examined. Purple carrots contained 2.2 and 2.3 times more alpha- and beta-carotenes (trace in yellow; not detected in white) than orange carrots, respectively. Purple carrot may be used in place of other carrot varieties to take advantage of its nutraceutical components.

Isolation and characterization of antioxidative peptides from gelatin hydrolysate of Alaska pollack skin.

Gelatin extracted from Alaska pollack skin was hydrolyzed with serial digestions in the order of Alcalase, Pronase E, and collagenase using a three-step recycling membrane reactor. The fraction from the second step, which was hydrolyzed with Pronase E, was composed of peptides ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 kDa and showed high antioxidative activity. Two different peptides showing strong antioxidative activity were isolated from the hydrolysate using consecutive chromatographic methods including gel filtration on a Sephadex G-25 column, ion-exchange chromatography on a SP-Sephadex C-25 column, and high-performance liquid chromatography on an ODS column. The isolated peptides, P1 and P2, were composed of 13 and 16 amino acid residues, respectively; and both peptides contained a Gly residue at the C-terminus and the repeating motif Gly-Pro-Hyp. The antioxidative activities of the purified peptides were measured using the thiobarbituric acid method, and the cell viability was measured with MTT assay. The results showed that P2 had potent antioxidative activity on peroxidation of linoleic acid. Moreover, the cell viability of cultured liver cells was significantly enhanced by addition of the peptide. These results indicate that the purified peptide, P2, from gelatin hydrolysate of Alaska pollack skin is a natural antioxidant which has potent antioxidative activity.

Artificial liver support: the pipe dream of today should be the reality of the near future.

The title of this article is taken from an interesting Letter to the Editor entitled 'Artificial liver support-Pipe dream or reality' by Cattral and Levy of the Toronto Hospital, Canada, published in the New England Journal of Medicine 1994, in which the authors persuasively propose possibilities of artificial liver support and suggest its advantages. We find that their suggestions agree with the core of our thoughts on this subject. The present article deals with the concept of implanting livers taken from humans, primates or non-primates (e.g. hog) into patients in parallel with their own metabolically fatigued or cirrhotic livers, with minimal surgical manipulation, as a prelude to total artificial liver support via a liver dialysis device. While the possibility exists that the host liver may recover function, a donor liver, whether implanted into the patient's abdomen or connected in vitro to the patient's circulatory system extracorporeally, may provide the host liver respite and a period for recovery and proliferation, if possible. Once recovery is under way, the donor liver may be removed and the patient will not experience the usual risks of rejection and the necessary side-effects of immunosuppression associated with conventional full hepatectomy and donor transplantation. The viability of a liver implantation model in rats is correlated in this article with hepatic acute phase response.

Biogenesis of hepatic acute-phase response to trauma.

The bioorganic pathway(s) of hepatic acute-phase response in rat to single and compounded traumata triggered either by chemical or physical injury has been re-evaluated for the purpose of advancing a better understanding of mechanisms of hepatic regeneration. These insights would be useful in cases of liver cirrhosis and end-stage liver diseases and may allow avenues of surgical management other than liver transplantation. Mechanisms of acute-phase response in rat to a single inflammatory stimulus, e.g. intoxication with phalloidin, alpha-amanitin, subcutaneous administration of carageenan, subcutaneous implantation of Yoshida sarcoma or i.p. administration of Zajdela ascites are discussed and compared with (a) acute-phase response to intoxication by various factors leading to the development of liver cirrhosis, and (b) acute-phase response of nascent hepatocytes where hepatic regenerative activities were induced by chemical intoxication or surgical partial hepatectomy. Interestingly, hepatic acute-phase response was not limited only to these injuries outlined above but also to psychological conditions.

Headspace volatile aldehydes as indicators of lipid oxidation in foods.

Aldehydes are secondary breakdown products of unsaturated lipids. In particular, polyunsaturated lipid fatty acids of the omega-6 and omega-3 families are highly susceptible to oxidation. Using static headspace analysis, the specific aldehyde markers were studied. While linoleic, gamma-linolenic and arachidonic acids found in different foods were precursors of hexanal, propanal was the dominant aldehyde formed from the breakdown of alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Thus, use of selected aldehydes for monitoring oxidation of food lipids is recommended.

Process-induced chemical changes in foods. An overview.

Processing of foods induces changes in their physical, chemical and sensory characteristics. Many researchers have shown the chemical consequences of food processing on acceptability and sensory attributes, nutritive value and wholesomeness of foods. A cursory account of these changes is provided.

Process-induced changes in edible oils.

Lipids are one of the main dietary components that serve several functions in foods and nutrition. They could be endogenous or deliberately included in food. The basic molecules of lipids undergo different chemical reactions during refining, processing and storage. Some of these chemical reactions enhance the usage and functionality of food lipids. This chapter discusses the chemical changes of lipids during various processing operations. Specific changes in the minor constituents of lipids are also included.